Ergonomic case for a smartphone

ABSTRACT

An ergonomic case for a smartphone features contoured finger grips at appropriate locations around the outside surface, in a pattern that provides a comfortable and ergonomic grip for a hand. Specifically, three or four finger indentations are provided in the position of use in voice calling mode. The finger indentations may be located on either side, depending on whether the particular embodiment is intended for right or left-handed users. An additional thumb indentation may optionally be provided on the opposite side. The finger indentations and thumb indentations are used to hold the smartphone, to provide a more comfortable and secure grip for the fingers, and may include ridges or another high-friction surface in the indentations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/811,158, filed on Apr. 12, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to smartphone accessories, and specifically to an ergonomic case for a smartphone. Persons who use smartphones, such as the iPhone and BlackBerry, often find that the smartphone will easily slip out of their hands while using it. A smooth finish on the smartphone case is popular among both users and manufacturers, exacerbating the problem. Aside from the inconvenience of having a phone call or data download interrupted, there is a substantial risk that the smartphone will be damaged, destroyed, or lost when dropped. A case with finger indentations strategically placed around the edge, in an ergonomic manner, will provide a firm grip, and resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to an ergonomic case for a smartphone. The case features contoured finger grips at appropriate locations around the outside surface, in a pattern that provides a comfortable and ergonomic grip for a hand. Specifically, three or four finger indentations are provided in the position of use in voice calling mode. The finger indentations may be located on either side, depending on whether the particular embodiment is intended for right or left handed users. An additional thumb indentation may optionally be provided on the opposite side. The finger indentations and thumb indentations are used to hold the smartphone, to provide a more comfortable and secure grip for the fingers, and may include ridges or another high-friction surface in the indentations.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate eight embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, and displays the two finger indentations 11 on the left side of the case 10, the left edge 10A, the bottom edge 10B, and right edge 10C, one pinky finger indentation 13 at the bottom of the case 10, and one thumb indentation 12 on the right side of the case 10.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment in use, and displays the two finger indentations 11 on the left side of the case 10, one pinky finger indentation 13 at the bottom of the case 10, and one thumb indentation 12 on the right side of the case 10.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the second exemplary embodiment, and displays the two finger indentations 11 on the right side of the case 10, one pinky finger indentation 13 at the bottom of the case 10, and one thumb indentation 12 on the left side of the case 10.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the third exemplary embodiment and displays two finger indentations 11 on each side of the case 10, and two pinky finger indentations 13 on the bottom of the case 10.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the fourth exemplary embodiment and displays two finger indentations 11 on the left side of the case 10, and one pinky finger indentation at the bottom of the case 10.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the fifth exemplary embodiment and displays two finger indentations 11 on the right side of the case 10, and one pinky finger indentation at the bottom of the case 10.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the sixth exemplary embodiment and displays two finger indentations 11 on the left side of the case 10.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the eighth exemplary embodiment and displays two finger indentations 11 on each side of the case 10.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the ninth exemplary embodiment and displays four finger indentations 11 on each side of the case 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to an ergonomic case for a smartphone. The case 10, which has at least a left edge 10A, a bottom edge 10B, and a right edge 10C (as viewed from the perspective of a user holding it) features contoured finger grips at appropriate locations around the outside surface, in a pattern that provides a comfortable and ergonomic grip for an adult hand. Specifically, two to four finger indentations 11, zero to two thumb indentations 12, and zero to two pinky indentations 13 are provided in the position of use in voice calling mode. The finger indentations 11 and thumb indentation 12, if provided, may be located on either side, depending on whether the particular embodiment is intended for right or left handed users. Additionally, if provided, the pinky indentation 13 is located on the bottom of the case 10.

In the specification, references to the right and left sides of the device are as shown in the drawings and from the perspective of a user holding the device.

The first exemplary embodiment (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the case 10 is preferably for right handed users. Two finger indentations 11 are provided on the left side of the case 10, a thumb indentation 12 is provided on the right side of the case 10, and a pinky indentation 13 is provided on the bottom of the case 10.

The second exemplary embodiment (shown in FIG. 3) of the case 10 is preferably for left handed users. Two finger indentations 11 are provided on the right side of the case 10, a thumb indentation 12 is provided on the left side of the case 10, and a pinky indentation 13 is provided on the bottom of the case 10.

The third exemplary embodiment (shown in FIG. 4) of the device may be used by either right or left handed users. Two finger indentations 11 are provided on both the left and right side of the case 10; two pinky indentations 13 are provided on the bottom of the case 10.

The fourth exemplary embodiment (shown in FIG. 5) of the case 10 is preferably for right handed users. Two finger indentations 11 are provided on the left side of the case 10, and one pinky indentation 13 is provided on the bottom of the case 10.

The fifth exemplary embodiment (shown in FIG. 6) of the case 10 is preferably for left handed users. Two finger indentations 11 are provided on the right side of the case 10, and one pinky indentation 13 is provided on the bottom of the case 10.

The sixth exemplary embodiment (shown in FIG. 7) of the case 10 is preferably for right handed users. Two finger indentations 11 are provided on the left side of the case 10.

The seventh exemplary embodiment (a reversal of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7) of the case 10 is preferably for left handed users. Two finger indentations 11 are provided on the right side of the case 10.

The eighth exemplary embodiment (shown in FIG. 8) of the device 10 is preferably for right or left handed user. Two finger indentations 11 are provided on both the left and right side of the case 10.

The ninth exemplary embodiment (shown in FIG. 9) of the device is for right or left handed user. Four finger indentations 11 are provided on both the left and right side of the case 10.

More or fewer and different combinations of finger indentations 11, thumb indentations 12, and pinky indentations 13 are contemplated. These are intended to accommodate users who hold their smartphones in different positions, as well as manufacturers who position the smartphone's electronic components in various locations inside the case.

The finger indentations 11, thumb indentations 12, and pinky indentations 13 are used to hold the smartphone, to provide a more comfortable and secure grip for the fingers, and may include ridges or another high-friction surface in the indentations. The case 10, itself, is preferably enlarged such that the indentations are of substantial size relative to the user's fingers.

The case is preferably manufactured from durable, rigid materials such as steel, aluminum, and high-impact plastic. Alternatively, durable flexible materials such as silicone or synthetic rubber materials may be used. Materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that different materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. An ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device comprising a case having at least a left edge, a bottom edge, and a right edge; said case being shaped with a plurality of indentations; said plurality of indentation comprising any combination of the group of a plurality of finger indentations, a plurality of thumb indentations, and a plurality of pinky indentations; said case and said plurality of indentations being enlarged relative to the fingers of a human user, whereby said electronic device case may be gripped more comfortably and securely.
 2. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of indentations comprises a plurality of finger indentations, a plurality of thumb indentations, and a plurality of pinky indentations, each being at least one in number.
 3. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is two in number, said plurality of thumb indentations is one in number, and said plurality of pinky indentations is one in number.
 4. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 3 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is located within said left edge, wherein said plurality of thumb indentations is located within said right edge, and wherein said plurality of pinky indentations is positioned within said bottom edge on the left side thereof, whereby the right hand of a human user may grip said case comfortably.
 5. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 3 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is located within said right edge, wherein said plurality of thumb indentations is located within said left edge, and wherein said plurality of pinky indentations is positioned within said bottom edge on the right side thereof, whereby the left hand of a human user may grip said case comfortably.
 6. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of indentations comprises a plurality of finger indentations, a plurality of pinky indentations, each being at least one in number, and no thumb indentations.
 7. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 6 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is four in number, with two of said plurality of finger indentations being positioned within said left edge, and two of said plurality of finger indentations being positioned within said right edge.
 8. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 7 wherein said plurality of pinky indentations is two in number, and wherein said plurality of pinky indentations is positioned within said bottom edge.
 9. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 6 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is two in number and located within said left edge, and wherein said plurality of pinky indentations is positioned within said bottom edge on the left side thereof, whereby the right hand of a human user may grip said case comfortably.
 10. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 6 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is two in number and located within said right edge, and wherein said plurality of pinky indentations is positioned within said bottom edge on the right side thereof, whereby the left hand of a human user may grip said case comfortably.
 11. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of indentations comprises a plurality of finger indentations at least one in number, no thumb indentations, and no pinky indentations.
 12. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is two in number and located within said left edge, whereby the right hand of a human user may grip said case comfortably.
 13. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is two in number and located within said right edge, whereby the left hand of a human user may grip said case comfortably.
 14. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is four in number, with two of said plurality of finger indentations being positioned within said left edge, and two of said plurality of finger indentations being positioned within said right edge.
 15. The ergonomic case for a mobile electronic device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of finger indentations is eight in number, with four of said plurality of finger indentations being positioned within said left edge, and four of said plurality of finger indentations being positioned within said right edge. 